3 arrested for P.3-million PLDT cable theft

MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested three people for allegedly stealing P300,000 worth of Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) cable wire found during a raid on a house in Binangonan, Rizal.

Norly de los Reyes; his sister, Marites Greta; and neighbor Mario Caralipio are reportedly behind the nightly theft of PLDT cable in Rizal province, causing intermittent telephone and Internet services, police said.

Rizal police director Senior Superintendent Jonathan Miano said they also recovered from the suspects tools used in their alleged illicit activity, including a wash basin that apparently served as an improvised cover when burning the cable to harvest its copper content.

Miano said the PLDT asset protection center (APC) is closely monitoring Rizal and other provinces where cable thieves are operating.

Rizal police officers, accompanied by PLDT and barangay officials, raided the suspects’ house at Mabuhay Homes in Barangya Darangan, Binangonan town. Greta’s husband, Rizaldo, escaped.

Miano said Rizaldo has an outstanding arrest warrant for the same offense committed last year.

The raiding team recovered at least 10 sacks of cable wire bearing PLDT markings buried in the suspects’ compound.

Police officers have filed appropriate charges against the suspects before the Rizal prosecutor’s office.